Policy Review of the NCGP
NOTE: The information on this website and any associated resources is based on the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Program Policy Review Final Report and subsequent updates from the ARC. All details remain subject to change pending final ARC decisions, ministerial approval, and the release of scheme guidelines. We recommend treating these materials as preparatory only.
National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) Policy Review
Overview
The Australian Research Council released the final report of the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) Policy Review on 22 July 2026. The report sets the direction for a new NCGP, with implementation expected to commence from 2027 and new schemes being introduced progressively. As new schemes are progressively introduced, existing ARC schemes will be sequentially discontinued during the transition period to ensure continuity for the research sector.
The NCGP is shifting from a collection of schemes to a strategic funding ecosystem. UQ is well-placed to continue our strong success rates in the revitalized ARC NCGP, as it broadly aligns with UQ strengths in collaboration, scale and research leadership.
What the ARC is doing next
The ARC has confirmed that implementation will occur progressively, with new schemes introduced in stages rather than through a single transition event. Implementation schedules remain subject to refinement and will continue to be updated as details are finalised. Our Implementation Timeline below is updated regularly.
The ARC has yet to release sufficient detail, such as scheme Guidelines and assessment processes, and have indicated that it will occur progressively and in consultation with the College and the sector. While much of this detail is critical to considering competitiveness and success criteria/rates, there is sufficient detail available to consider your opportunities in the new schemes.
See Table 1 below:
| Type | Scheme | Primary Route | Term | Indicative ARC Funding p.a. | Indicative Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| People Schemes | Initiate Fellowship | ECRs 0–5 years post-PhD; two career-stage tiers | ≤3 yrs | $50k + salary/on-costs | ~300 grants; annual; 15% |
| Indigenous Excellence | Indigenous researchers up to 15 years post-PhD; any discipline | ≤5 yrs | $50k–$500k | ~50 grants; annual; 5% | |
| Lead and Mentor | Exceptional research leaders mentoring an ECR team | ≤5 yrs | ≤$250k + 2 postdocs + 2 HDRs | ~50 grants; annual; 5% | |
| Project Schemes | Explore | High-risk, exploratory research with transformative potential | ≤3 yrs | $50k–$400k | ~150 grants; annual; 5% |
| Breakthrough | Broad excellent research addressing a significant problem or knowledge gap | ≤5 yrs | $200k–$600k | ~700 grants; annual; 40% | |
| Collaborate | Multi-institutional research with ≥1 Partner Organisation | ≤5 yrs | $1m–$2m | ~60 grants; biennial; 18% | |
| Prioritise | National-scale research responding to significant priorities | ≤7 yrs | $4m–$6m | ~3 grants; biennial; 8% |
Table 1: breakdown of new NCGP schemes. Note: the announced model creates three people-focused schemes and four project schemes, with differentiated scale and intent. CIEF (previously LIEF) continues as a Collaborate sub-scheme run annually and independent of Collaborate. A further 4% is reserved for infrastructure and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement/capability.
Given the transition period is lengthy, researchers should consider their current funding base to ensure it is sustainable during this period. Researchers may need to explore other funding opportunities during the transition which will, inevitably, also strengthen their opportunities in the reformed NCGP.
Discovery Projects Transition Arrangements
To support continuity through the transition to the new NCGP, the ARC has confirmed that a further round of Discovery Projects, DP28, is expected to open in February 2027.
A significant change to DP28 is the removal of the Expression of Interest (EOI) stage. This change follows the ARC's review of the two-step application process and is intended to reduce burden on applicants and institutions.
More information is available on the RO Discovery Projects scheme page.
Explore Scheme
The first new funding opportunity to be delivered under the new NCGP will be the Explore scheme, expected to open in March 2027.
Explore will support exploratory and high-risk, high-reward research projects with the potential to be transformative. The scheme is intended to encourage ambitious research with the proposed objectives:
- Research Excellence
- Benefit
- Capacity and
- Collaboration
ARC Research Points
ARC Research Points replace the current available ‘slots’ for project limits under the revitalised NCGP. Key points:
- Each eligible CI and SCI will have a balance of 13 Research Points.
- The number of points committed varies by role (e.g. Lead CI, CI or SCI) and by scheme.
- Points are committed when an application is submitted. They are released when outcomes are announced (if unsuccessful) or at the project end date (if funded).
- Applicants must have enough available points at the scheme closing date, and must maintain them throughout the life of the project if funded. Roles cannot be relinquished to free up points.
- Discovery and Linkage Program grants and applications do not use Research Points and do not count against a researcher's balance.
Points values and roles for Explore and other new schemes, with worked examples, are on the ARC website. The ARC has indicated that roles and points values are indicative and subject to confirmation in the final guidelines. The Research Office recommends using this information for early planning only.
What this means for you
Current ARC opportunities and already awarded grants are unaffected. Continue preparing applications and managing projects using existing scheme guidelines and UQ internal deadlines.
Beyond that, the transition will affect anyone planning an ARC application from 2027 onwards, and there are steps worth taking now.
Plan for DP28 without EOI. A further Discovery Projects round is expected to open in February 2027, without an Expression of Interest stage. If you were planning a shortened proposal or relying on more time to develop a full budget, you will need to bring that thinking forward and plan for a full application from the outset.
Identify where your research fits. The new program is structured around Explore, Initiate, Lead and Mentor, Indigenous Excellence, Collaborate, Breakthrough and Prioritise, opening progressively from March 2027. Knowing your likely scheme and its expected opening quarter will guide planning (especially with partners, if applicable), and the Implementation Timeline below sets out the current sequence.
Start end-user conversations now. The new schemes place greater weight on collaboration and interdisciplinary research. Industry, government, community and international partnerships take months to establish and cannot be assembled once guidelines are released. If your future application is likely to need a partner, begin those discussions this year.
Stay across scheme releases. Scheme-specific ARC webinars are expected to be held from late 2026, and we will publish requirements as guidelines are released. Subscribe to the UQR&I Mailer so you receive updates as they are circulated.
Implementation Timeline
The ARC has commenced engagement with the research sector regarding implementation of the new NCGP. Key milestones announced to date include:
| 2026 | Q3/Q4 | Future Fellowships 2027 opens, closing 6 November 2026 |
| Q3/Q4 | Industrial Transformation Research Program 2027 opens (Training Centres and Hubs), closing 25 November 2026 | |
| Q4 | Scheme-specific engagement activities and webinars expected to commence | |
| 2027 | Q1 | Discovery Projects 2028 (DP28) expected to open in February 2027 |
| Q1 | The new Explore scheme expected to open in March 2027 | |
| Q2 | Initiate | |
| Q3 | Lead and Mentor | |
| Q4 | Indigenous Excellence | |
| 2028 | Q1 | Collaborate |
| Q2 | Collaborate: Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (CIEF) | |
| Q3 | Breakthrough | |
| Q4 | Prioritise (Expression of Interest) | |
| 2029 | Q2 | Prioritise (Full Applications) |
Table 2: indicative implementation timeline for new NCGP schemes
The Research Office will update scheme pages and provide information sessions and applicant resources as ARC guidance becomes available. This webpage will be updated as additional implementation details, scheme guidelines and application information are released by the ARC.
Subscribe to UQR&I Mailer where major updates will be circulated.
The UQ R&I portfolio is very interested in your questions or concerns about the policy report. Please do not hesitate to contact us at ARC@research.uq.edu.au.